Italy 2008 Snap General Election
Final Results Indicate Berlusconi Coalition Victory Over Veltroni
Another government failure in January 2008 forced Italy to conduct a snap general election. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his coalition were victorious.
Italy held snap General elections on April 13 and 14 following the February 2008 dissolution of Parliament by President Giorgio Napolitano. This latest governmental shake-up began in January with the resignation of Prime Minister Romano Prodi after 20 months in office. After talks to form an interim government failed, the snap election was announced.
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s coalition of three political parties emerged victorious over their main opponent, the Walter Veltroni Coalition. This victory over approximately 30 other participating political parties and coalitions allows Berlusconi to return as Prime Minister and the leader of Italy’s 63rd government since the end of World War II.
Voting Results
Voter turnout for this election, estimated at just over 80%, was down 3% from the 2006 election.
The final results of the Italian General election, as reported by the Italian Ministry of the Interior are (only major parties and those winning seats are listed):
Chamber of Deputies
- Silvio Berlusconi Coalition
- People of Freedom - 13,628,865 (37.39%)
- Lega Nord - 3.024,522 (8.3%)
- Movement for Autonomy - 410,487 (1.13%)
- Walter Veltroni Coalition
- Democratic Party - 12,092,998 (33.17%)
- Italy of Values - 1,593,675 (4.37%)
- Center Union - 2,050,319 (5.62%)
- The Left - The Rainbow - 1,124,418 (3.08%)
- The Right-Tricolor Flame - 885,229 (2.43%)
- Socialist Party - 355,581 (0.98%)
- Communist Party of the Workers - 208,394 (0.57%)
- Left Critic - 167,673 (0.46%)
- South Tyrolean People’s Party - 147,666 (0.41%)
- Autonomy Liberty Democracy - 29,311 (0.08%)
- Movimento Associativo Italiani all’Estero - 0 (0%)
- Others - 762,478 (2.08%)
Senate
- Silvio Berlusconi Coalition
- People of Freedom - 12,510,306 (38.17%)
- Lega Nord - 2,642,167 (8.06%)
- Movement for Autonomy - 355,076 (1.08%)
- Walter Veltroni Coalition
- Democratic Party - 11,042,325 (33.70%)
- Italy of Values - 1,414,118 (4.32%)
- Center Union - 1,866,294 (5.69%)
- The Left - The Rainbow - 1,053,154 (3.21%)
- The Right-Tricolor Flame - 687,211 (2.10%)
- Socialist Party - 284,428 (0.87%)
New Structure of Parliament
The new structure of Italy’s bicameral Parliament is:
Chamber of Deputies
- Silvio Berlusconi Coalition - 344 seats
- People of Freedom - 276 seats
- Lega Nord - 60 seats
- Movement for Autonomy - 8 seats
- Walter Veltroni Coalition - 246 seats
- Democratic Party - 217 seats
- Italy of Values - 29 seats
- Center Union - 36 seats
- South Tyrolean People’s Party - 2 seats
- Autonomy Liberty Democracy - 1 seat
- Movimento Associativo Italiani all’Estero - 1 seat
Senate
- Silvio Berlusconi Coalition - 174 seats
- People of Freedom - 147 seats
- Lega Nord - 25 seats
- Movement for Autonomy - 2 seats
- Walter Veltroni Coalition - 132 seats
- Democratic Party - 118 seats
- Italy of Values - 14 seats
- Center Union - 3 seats
- South Tyrolean People’s Party - 2 seats
- Entirety of the Autonomies - 2 seats
- Vallee Of Aoste - 1 seat
- Movimento Associativo Italiani all’Estero - 1 seat
Election Analysis
Italy’s political system seems to be in crisis and in much need of reform. It is shocking that the only government to survive its full five-year term in the last 63 years was Berlusconi’s, from 2001 to 2006. Equally amazing is political party Movimento Associativo Italiani all’Estero receiving one seat in the Chamber of Deputies, though they failed to receive a single vote in the election.
The problem appears to be Italy’s current proportional representation system that allows small parties holding few seats in Parliament a disproportionate amount of power. With 39 political parties in Parliament prior to this election, there is no question that this system leads to constant confusion, stalemates and continual changes in government.
Italy’s immediate prospects continue to look shaky due to an ailing economy. During his last term in office, Berlusconi failed to enact needed economic reforms. Now, he seems more interested in moving up to the Presidency, so little change in the status quo is expected.
References
“Berlusconi sweeps to victory in Italy.” EuroNews. April 20, 2008.
“Disappointing turnout on 1st day of Italian general election.” Xinhua News Agency. April 14, 2008.
“Italy to hold snap April election.” BBC News. February 6, 2008.
Ministero Dell’Interno - Elezioni Politiche Official Website.
Ministero Dell’Interno - Governo Italiano Official Website.
